22 



On the 20th March, John Wj^ndham, George Luttrell, and 

 Thomas Windham, for Williton, Freemanors and Carhampton, 

 I'eported that they had met and called before them " divers of 

 the honest inhabitants " who had searched the barns, granaries 

 and lofts of every one having corn, and had taken course to 

 have the markets well supplied. They thought and " verilie 

 beleeved" from the information gained, that there Avas corn sufficient 

 to serve until harvest. There were neither badgers, broggers nor 

 carriers of corn. Eogues and vagabonds were taken up and 

 punished or sent off by passes. Care was taken to have the poor 

 set to -work, the impotent relieved, and the childi-en bound 

 apprentice. Prices were, wheat 44/-, rye 30 -, barley, beans, 

 and peas 24/-, and oats 12/- the quarter.* 



Dating from Longaishton, 23 March, Hugh Smyth and E. 

 Tynte, for the " little " hundred of Hartcliffe and Bedminster, 

 considered they could spare 770 bushels of Avheat, rye and barley, 

 and 130 bushels of oats. There were in the hundred six badgers, 

 as being necessary for the provision of Bristol, but they were 

 allowed to buy only small quantities. The markets were well 

 served and the prices lately " rather somewhat " abated. "VMieat 

 6/-, rye 4/'4, barley 4/-, beans and peas 3/-, and oats, 1/G 

 the bushel.t 



The next certificate, for Milverton and the tithings of Kings- 

 bury, is dated the 27th March and signed Edward Lancaster, a new 

 name, and which belonged apparently to a new broom. The 

 J. P.'s of the county having assembled for a conference, lie, with 

 Sir Henry Hawley, called before them in January, several of the 

 inhabitants of their district and gave orders for them to 

 " present," liy the last day of February. They appointed also 

 overseers of the markets. In the meantime Sir Henry went to 

 London and ilid not return, so tlie report falls into the first 



* State Papers, 1623, Vol. exliv., fol. 24, No. 7. 

 t State Papers, 1G2.3, Vol. cxliv., fol. 24, No, 8. 



